Retired teacher, mother, grandmother and cultural ambassador Audrey Ramsey (née Duke) peacefully passed away on February 16.
Her more than five-hour celebration of life, held on February 26 at the Katzenjammer’s Panyard in Black Rock, Tobago, unapologetically reflected the faith and cultural traditions she cherished.
Lovingly known as Audrey Bla, Teacher Audrey, Ma Bla and Tanty Bla, Ramsey’s life was remembered through a service that blended spiritual devotion, music, storytelling and humour.
The multicultural service stirred a range of emotions. In addition to traditional religious elements, there were musical tributes and performances by family friend Mark Moransie, eldest sister Ena Wallace, Aunty Cynthia, grandchildren Tonya Ramsey, Jadon Phillip and Kersh Ramsey, as well as Sheridon Tobias of the funeral home.
One of the most memorable moments came when Ramsey’s daughter, Beverley Ramsey-Moore, president of Pan Trinbago, shared a deeply personal reflection drawn from one of her mother’s private notebooks.
“This is not a eulogy,” she said as she carefully opened the notebook for the first time.
Before reading from it, Ramsey-Moore offered her own tribute.
“Mummy would have said, ‘I am well pleased. Allyuh put meh out good and proper,’” she told the gathering, noting her mother’s love for music, particularly the spiritual song Roll Jordan Roll.
She described her mother as the heart of the family—a devoted wife to Hugh “Cassie” Ramsey, 90, a nurturing mother and a woman who embodied strength and grace.
“She built a home filled with joy and leaves a lasting legacy of kindness and memories that will be treasured forever,” Ramsey-Moore said, adding that her mother was also known for being highly organised.
As the notebook was read, Ramsey-Moore invited Ramsey’s children and grandchildren, including Nicolai, to join her at the podium as the story of her life unfolded.
Ramsey was the third of 12 siblings. She was the mother of Claude Fitzgerald (deceased), Carmen Beverley Ramsey-Moore and Larry Hendricks. She married Hugh Ramsey on December 26, 1968.
Her family continued to grow over the years, with children Denise Alicia, Leslyn Camille, and Kern Maxim Andre, and an adopted daughter, Jenny Charles, whom she took in at the age of two.
Ramsey-Moore also recounted the names of many grandchildren and extended family members, prompting laughter and affectionate responses from mourners as stories about their relationships and family memories were shared.
Beyond family life, Ramsey was described as a brilliant student who became a teacher and later distinguished herself in the tourism sector, working at Blue Haven and Mount Irvine Bay hotels. She was also remembered as a loving grandmother and an exceptional Christmas cake baker.
Deeply immersed in community and culture, she performed with the group Merdukes alongside her sister Donna and cousin Lennox Murray. She also sang with the Black Rock Folk Performers, a group that won numerous competitions in Tobago and travelled internationally.
During the service, her sister Jemma spontaneously sang portions of Ramsey’s favourite songs, including Jesus Laid His Hands on Me and Call Gabriel.
Her connection to Tobago’s steelband movement was also fondly remembered. After she began dating Hugh “Cassie” Ramsey, she became affectionately known as “Mrs Katzenjammers.” The revelation drew laughter from the audience as Ramsey-Moore playfully pointed out other women in attendance who, she joked, had also taken a liking to panmen.
Ramsey’s final visit to the panyard was earlier this year when the junior band competed in Panorama. Another notebook discovered among her belongings revealed that she had begun documenting the history of Katzenjammers.
Her spiritual life was equally central to her identity. Ramsey became a Spiritual Baptist on January 1, 1962, and remained deeply devoted to the faith. She served as a Sunday school teacher and loved the song Sit Down, which she often had her children perform during Harvest celebrations.
In time, she became known as a prayer warrior, a devoted thanksgiver, a true shouter of the Black Rock Saint Philemon Spiritual Baptist Church and a powerful alto singer in the choir.
Her niece Edna Wallace recalled how the church once won a major competition performing the hymn The Lord Is My Shepherd, which Ramsey sang.
A serious cardiovascular illness in her 50s, though not the cause of her death, deepened her faith and commitment to prayer.
In closing, Ramsey-Moore said the family believes her mother has gone on to glory.
“She lived a life that testified to God’s love,” she said, urging those present to honour the values Ramsey lived by—particularly trusting God regardless of circumstances.
In her final moments, Ramsey asked her daughter, Alicia, to tell her husband she loved him dearly. She also said goodbye to her grandchildren and requested that Kersh play at her funeral.
Ramsey was laid to rest at the Plymouth Public Cemetery. The final rites included the release of gold and white balloons and a toast led by funeral home attendant Diahann Emptage.
The service was officiated by Rev Gillian Joseph.
